Tucson’s Mayor, City Council, and police have been taking a somewhat passive aggressive approach to the Occupy Tucson movement.

As reported in the Arizona Daily Star, 53 people were arrested in Armory Park on Saturday night, the first day of the occupation. Tucson Police have been using an anti-vagrancy law to ticket protesters who stay in the park over night.

Before the Occupation began, Occupy Tucson organizers called several City Council members and asked for their help with park permits and the 10:30 p.m. park closure ordinance. These calls primarily fell on deaf ears. The Council members who bothered to call the Occupiers back said their “hands were tied.” At least one council member warned the protesters that Parks and Recreation may turn the sprinklers on the overnight protesters.

Now Occupy Tucson organizers are asking for your help with Tucson’s Mayor and Council, who have a meeting tonight.

On facebook, they are organizing a march from Armory Park to the Mayor and Council Chambers. Check out this facebook event or show up at 4:30 p.m. at Armory Park.

Here is a release from the Occupy Tucson movement.

The City of Tucson has chosen to deny the peoples right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by both the US and Arizona Constitutions. They’re doing so by using a city ordinance written as a measure that prevents the homeless from living in the parks. That form of enforcement of a local issue is not required when applied to a political protest as it prevents a peaceful assembly for the common good.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – US First Amendment, Bill Of Rights

“The right of petition, and of the people peaceably to assemble for the common good, shall never be abridged.” – Arizona Constitution, Article 2 Section 5 [Note that under this section, camping in the park because you are homeless (for personal gain) might be illegal, but for the common good (political protest) it is a protected activity]

The Arizona Daily Star reported 53 citizens given citations and charged with vagrancy last Saturday night as they stood up for their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble at the Occupy Tucson event at Amory Park. Included was philanthropist Peggy Hitchcock. Peggy had to search for a police officer willing to give her a citation once they realized who she was. Also, given citations were:

The encounter between the Tucson Police Department and the peaceful assembly of citizens was a model of civility with mutual respect and good communication appreciated by both sides. This is in contrast to what happened in Phoenix where people were sprayed with pepper spray and forcefully arrested as they said “we love you” to the Police. (must see video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_ZS9EqjE90

The Tucson Police used a velvet glove approach to the assembly here. They are doing “catch and release” ticketing of anyone in the park after hours (10:30pm-7am). The Tucson Police gave criminal citations knowing they will be challenged in the courts and at the city council.

As civil as everything is the Tucson Police will continue giving criminal citations on a nightly basis. It is the hope of the citizens that this is not a strategy to financially intimidate the peacefully assembled citizens to interfere with their rights to assemble for the common good.

There is a sense of urgency for the City Council to quickly address this issue by putting it on the agenda for the Tuesday Oct.18 meeting (5:30 pm at City Council Chambers). Arguments will be presented to acknowledge the importance of not abridging Arizona and Federal constitutional law. A number of people who were cited have asked Attorney Bill Risner to speak on their behalf. Others are encouraged to speak also.

Since agenda items must be posted prior to the meeting, people are urged to call the Mayor and City Council Members immediately to make this request.

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Could we get the people involved in this political game to support the tax payers, so we do not have to pay taxes to support the people who do not pay taxes? The city is nonfunctional beyond political agendas.

At last night’s LWVGT/PCTWC all candidate forum, a question was asked about the Occupy Tucson citations. Councilwoman Scott took a hard stance on rule enforcement, saying that many of the protesters were “outsiders” of Tucson. Councilwoman Romero was more supportive of freedom of assembly and speech, saying it was the responsiblity of TPD and the City Parks Department. Green candidate Mary DeCamp (who has been cited) declined to comment last night. Jon McLane (not McLanne) mentioned above is the Green Party candidate who announced for Mayor in the Spring, then had to withdraw due to residency problems.

With a single Wall Street insider making 4 Billion a year and vast unemployment, whose purpose does it serve to squelch the voices of frustration? Councilmen don’t need to sound like Russell – “what don’t you understand about illegal” – Pearce.

These are exceptional times and the laws being deployed were not meant to limit free speech. Chill out, Councilmen and Councilwomen. There are thousands of formerly middle-class Tucsonans on the financial edge and fighting to keep their homes from the greed gorillas. They are not downtown, but feel the same frustrations. I suggest we designate an entire area of city property downtown for sustained public protests – a freedom park – until this country is ruled by the consent of the governed. Lord knows we have enough vacant city land.

A good friend of mine suggested the Occupy Tucson protesters move to the vacant Bourne property on Congress St., since it’s empty. The city tore down the building that was there, and Bourne Properties was supposed to develop it. Years later, the property sits vacant, Bourne welched on the deal, and the city has not held Borne responsible. The property is a symbol of corporate greed and the ineptitude of city government to deal effectively with developers.

Excuse me, but you don’t need to designate a park for these folks to gather in and speak, because their collective cause just happens to resonate with you.

It’s called freedom of political speech and it’s their right–whether they are one or one hundred million–and whether or not the community agrees or disagrees with their message. They can exercise their right in whatever park they please.

It is well within the Mayor and Council’s discretion to void all the citations and allow the Occupy Tucson movement to continue their activities on public property, unimpeded. If those arrested ever got themselves to the Arizona Supreme Court or The U.S. Supreme Court, the court would rule that the “occupation” of Tucson public property is a symbolic act protected by the First Amendment, irrespective of the local ordinances banning overnight stays in the park.

I forgot to add: None of you were worried about freedom of speech and assembly when the police kept arresting me, again and again, for shouting “Viva Zapata!” and burning Mexican Flags to expose the corruption of Tucson City Open Border Policy, which has led to over 5,000 deaths in the Arizona desert over the past several decades, and the financial & political exploitation of Mexico’s poor.

All of you, conservatives and liberals alike were so invested in Open Border Policy you didn’t give a rat’s patootie about rights of free speech, did you?

And you in the media were smug little propagandists as you painted me as a “White Supremicist,” even while you promoted the noxious, racist doctrine of La Raza: “To those Of the Race, Everything! To those Outside the Race, Nothing!”

Well, guess what? I’ve got the moxie, and the huevos, to help the Occupy Tucson folks continue on with their protest, in spite of the Mayor and Council, while the rest of you wring your hands and complain.

There will soon come a time when our so-called constitutional freedoms will only be available through our credit card numbers. The democratic ideals of our forefathers are being replaced by the pressing needs of commerce. Both political parties encourage this cowardly new world, as our timid mayor and council prove.

Once Occupy Tucson puts up campaign money for city politicians the movement will be undisturbed by police. Until then, catch and release will be the game of choice.

Thanks for the link, Carolyn. Too bad the Star didn’t print a few photos. Hello, AZ Star editors? 100+ people show up at a City Council meeting, and you don’t run this on page 1 with a photo? I had planned to go and shoot some video but had to work late.

Pam, that’s because the front page of the Az Daily Star is primarily for UA sports events. Actual news, however relevant, is not their top priority.
When former Gov. Ann Richards, a national figure, passed away, we were luck to find a brief column on page 7.

Progressive Action

Governor Ducey had proposed increasing prison beds and funding, while cutting education. Protesters took issue with that short-sighted idea.

We often hear that corporations need migrant workers because Americans “don’t want to do these jobs.” When I hear this statement, I picture farm workers picking vegetables. Recently, I toured two dairies and an animal feed packing plant in Pinal County. The photo above from the Zinke Dairy shows a giant cow milking carousel. Nine migrant workers milk 4000 cows three times a day at this dairy. Legislators watched the two men pictured here– working at a brisk pace– bend over and pick up, lift, and attach large electronic suction cups to the cows as they ride the carousel around the giant facility. This level of automation is the wave of the future for industrial jobs.

Safe Park, downtown Tucson

Desconocido (unknown)

John Nichols of ‘The Nation’ addressed progressives and unionists at a Tucson event.

Despite the sweltering heat, Jim and I had a great time at the Labor Day Picnic. We collected a lot of Clean Elections $5 donations and signatures. Here I am with LD9 chair Michael Dues.

Protesting migrant deaths in the Arizona desert.

We are the 99%.

PDA Tucson Coordinator Jim Hannley speaks against both the crowd management ordinance and the urban camping ban at the City Council meeting.

I have a background in research. Help me build Tucson’s tech industry and grow our own local businesses.

Rep. Sally Ann Gonzales and I were interviewed by NBC at the Phoenix rally.

Jim and I were part of a contingent of Unitarian Universalists who came up from Tucson. Here I am with Rev. Ron Phares from the Mountain Vista UU Church in my district. (Jim is photobombing us.)

Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley with members of the Tucson Chapter of NOW on opening day at the Arizona Legislature, 2018.

A homeless man sleeps in the shadow of corporate America.

In the 1980s, the Tucson Weekly called Tucson the “Baked Apple”.

The Living Economy event was very informative; we had a great time hob-nobbing. My husband Jim is a small business owner and a member of Local First Arizona. I have owned two small businesses in the past– Powers/Queen Associates and Wind Dancer Design. We support Local First Arizona and buying/investing locally. We believe that supporting local small businesses with low-interest loans through a public/private partnership between a public bank and community banks and credit unions is the sustainable route to improving our local economy. Trickle down economics doesn’t work; it’s time for new ideas.

Jobs with Justice marching with Occupy Tucson in support of postal workers.

Occupy encampment in Armory Park– before it was cleared out in the middle of the night by Tucson Police.

There have been many lively debates in the Arizona House in 2018. This team of House Democrats fought for consumer protections and fought against risky financial deals in a “regulatory sandbox.” (Pictured are Reps. Mitzi Epstein, Kelli Butler, Athena Salman, Pamela Powers Hannley, Ken Clark and Isela Blanc.)

It was truly a honor to meet Nevada State Senator Patricia Spearman (center) in October and to confer with her regarding our efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Arizona. Spearman led the successful Nevada efforts to ratify the ERA in 2017. Here we are with activist and NOW leader Dainne Post after the ERA workshop at the We the People Conference in Phoenix. There are a lot of Arizona women who are ready to make history in 2018. Watch my blog here and my Facebook page here for ERA updates.

Visiting with PALF chairman Fred Yamashita at the 2016 Labor Day Picnic.

Ironically, I posted this blog post on the anniversary of this election on June 19. 1970ish.

A giant poet’s head made up of stainless steel letters marks the stop near the UA Poetry Center.

Congressman Ron Barber and Pamela Powers Hannley at Cyclovia

This is a broken sink in the Ladies’ Room at the Arizona State Building in downtown Tucson. One of the elevators also was broken. It’s time to fix Arizona government.

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About

I stand on the side of Love. I believe in kindness to all creatures on Earth and the inherent self-worth of all individuals--not just people who agree with me or look like me.

Widespread economic and social injustice prompted me to become a candidate for the Arizona House, representing Legislative District 9 in the 2016 election. My platform focuses on economic reforms to grow Arizona's economy, establish a state-based public bank, fix our infrastructure, fully fund public education, growlocal small businesses and community banks, and put people back to work at good-paying jobs. I also stand for equal rights, choice, and paycheck fairness for women. I am running as a progressive and running clean.

My day job is managing editor for the American Journal of Medicine, an academic medicine journal with a worldwide circulation. In addition, my husband and I co-direct Arizonans for a New Economy, Arizona's public banking initiative. I am a member of the national board of the Public Banking Institute, and I am co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Progressive Caucus, the largest caucus of the Arizona Democratic Party.

I am a published author, photographer, videographer, clay artist, mother, nana, and wife. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio State University and a masters in public health from the University of Arizona. I grew up in Amherst, Ohio, but I have lived in Tucson, Arizona since 1981. I am a proud member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson and the Public Relations Society of America.

My Tucson Progressive blog and Facebook page feature large doses of liberal ideas, local, state, and national politics, and random bits of humor. I also blog at Blog for Arizona and the Huffington Post.